Florida Abandoned Property Act Would Require Securing Wait Period
Updated 4/30/21: HB 1393 died in the Insurance & Banking Subcommittee.
Updated 3/5/21: The following actions relating to HB 1393 have taken place following its introduction:
• Referred to Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
• Referred to Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee
• Referred to Commerce Committee
• Now in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee
Legislation Update
February 26, 2021
Source: The Florida Senate (HB 1393 Full Text/Info)
Additional Resource:
The Florida Senate (SB 1808 Full Text/Info)
*Companion Bill
Abandoned Residential Real Property; Provides remedies for abandoned residential real property, including authorizes entry on property for abatement & maintenance; requires notices; authorizes removal of property; authorizes county or municipality to abate nuisance & recover costs of abatement; limits liability; authorizes emergency entry on property.
Text Snippet
Section 5. Section 702.17, Florida Statutes
173 (5) At least 7 days before the mortgagee or mortgage
174 servicer, or a designee, enters the property, a notice must be
175 posted on the front door that includes the following
176 information:
177 (a) A statement that until foreclosure and sale are
178 complete, the property owner or mortgagor has the right to take
179 possession of the property.
180 (b) A statement that the property owner or mortgagor has
181 the right to request that any locks installed by the mortgagee
182 or mortgage servicer, or a designee, be removed and replaced
183 with new locks within 24 hours after such request which are only
184 accessible by the property owner or mortgagor.
185 (c) A toll-free, 24-hour telephone number that the
186 property owner or mortgagor may call in order to notify the
187 mortgagee or mortgage servicer that the property is not
188 abandoned and to gain timely access to the property.
189 (6) All records of entry made under this section must be
190 maintained by the mortgagee or mortgage servicer for at least 4
191 years after the date of entry, or longer if a legal proceeding
192 relating to the property is pending.
193 (7) If, upon entry, the property is found to be lawfully
194 occupied, the mortgagee or mortgage servicer, or a designee,
195 must leave the property immediately and notify the appropriate
196 county or municipal authority. Thereafter, the mortgagee or
197 mortgage servicer, or a designee, may not enter the property
198 absent other authority to do so.
199 (8) A county or municipality is not liable for any damages
200 caused by any act or omission of the mortgagee or mortgage
201 servicer, or a designee.
To view full bill text, please click the source link above.